Surgeon&#39;s operating chair



April 10, 1962 J. o. MCGUIRE 3,029,105

SURGEONS OPERATING CHAIR Filed May 1:5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 dob/7 0.MC 6u/re INYENTOR.

BY aw? April 10, 1962 J. o. MCGUIRE 3,029,105

SURGEONS OPERATING CHAIR Filed May 13, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 //Z L/0/7/70. Ma u/re INVENTOR.

. 3,029,1ti6 SURGEQNS OPERATING CHAIR John O. McGuire, 713 W. 38th St,Houston, Tex. Filed May 13, 1959, Ser. No. 812,991 3 Claims. (Cl.297-217) This invention relates to an operating chair for use bysurgeons and more particularly to a combined seat and chest supportdevice for supporting a person in a comfortable position whileperforming a surgical operation.

In performing surgical operations it is customary to support the patienton an operating table in a position easily accessible to the surgeon whousually stands at one side of the table. Operating tables for surgicaluse are ordinarily of highly complex construction, equipped withnumerous devices to enable the patients position to be adjusted in anydesired manner and to facilitate the performance of various proceduresduring the course of the operation. Much of the equipment of theoperating table is located below the top of the table leaving noconvenient space into which the surgeons feet and legs may extendbeneath the top of the table, so that the surgeon must lean forward overthe table in an unrelaXed and uncomfortable position in performing theoperation. At times, and particularly under circumstances which requirean operation of long duration, the position in which the surgeon is thuscompelled to hold himself often becomes very painful resulting in greatinconvenience and fatigue.

The present invention has for an important object the overcoming of theabove disadvantages by the provision of a surgeons operating chair whichmay be used by the surgeon to support himself in a convenient andrelaxed position for carrying out the operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surgeons operating chairwhich is easily moved about to locate the chair in any desired positionto properly support the surgeon, and embodying means for holding thechair against accidental shifting while the surgeon is performing theoperation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a surgeonsoperating chair having a seat which may be adjusted to support thesurgeon at any desired height above the door and also having a bodyengaging member which may be adjusted to support the surgeon in a relaxed position relative to the patient during the performance of theoperation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surgeons operating chairwhich is supported for free swinging movement about a vertical axis topermit the surgeon to easily move his body from side to side While atthe same time securely supporting himself at a desired clevation and ina comfortable position relative to the patient.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a combined seatand body support of the kind mentioned embodying hydraulic mechanism forelevating and lowering the same which may be easily and quickly operatedby the surgeon to position himself in a comfortable and relaxed positionfor carrying out the operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surgeons operating chairwhich is constructed to permit the surgeon to position himself thereonwithout using his hands or otherwise risking the danger of contaminationfrom contact with unsterilized equipment.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a surgeonsoperating chair which may be covered with a sterilized cover and inwhich the various adjustments of the chair may be made under sterileconditions without danger of contamination.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hired StatesPatent masses Patented Apr. 10, 1962 surgeons operating chair which isof simple design and rugged construction capable of withstanding theconditions of hard usage to which devices of this character are likelyto be subjected.

The above and other important objects and advantages of the inventionmay best be understood from the following detailed description,constituting a specification of the same, when considered in conjunctionwith the annexed drawings, wherein- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of apreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, vertical, central, crosssectional view, on asomewhat enlarged scale, of the invention as illustrated in FIGURE 1;showing details of structure of the mechanism by which the chair may bemoved about and the hydraulic elevating and lowering mechanism of thesame;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the invention as illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view, partly brokenaway and partlyin cross-section and in a some what enlarged scale of the supporting andadjusting mechanism for the body-engaging member of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevation view, partly broken away andpartly in cross-section and on a somewhat enlarged scale, showingstructural details of the body-engaging member and its supporting andadjusting mechanism;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 66 of FIGURE 4,looking in the: direction indicatcd by the arrows; and

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken alongthe line 77 of FIGURE 5, looking in the direction indicated by thearrows.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, the invention comprisesa generally rectangular supporting base, generally designated by thenumeral 16 of inverted tray shape, whose bottom wall provides a platform12, and which has near one end an upstanding hollow projection, orhousing, 14, whose interior is divided by a partition 16, to form anupper chamber 18 for the accommodation of hydraulic lift mechanism, anda lower chamber 20 which serves as a reservoir for hydraulic fluid to besupplied to the lift mechanism. The base is supported on wheels orcoasters 22 and 24 of which the wheels 22 may be of the swivel type topermit the base to be easily rolled about.

Suitable braking mechanism is provided and it may take the form of afoot plate 26, hingedly mounted along one edge, as by means of the shaft148 to the platform 12 for vertical swinging movement, and connected bya link 30 extending downwardly through on opening 32 in the platform toa bell crank 34, pivotally supported on the base and which is in turnconnected to a brake rod 36 which carries a brake shoe 38, positionedfor engagement with the wheel 24 when the foot brake is depressed, tohold the wheel against rotation. The brake rod 36 extends through and isslidably supported on a tug or cross-wall 41 on the base and is providedwith a coil spring 42, which bears at one end on the cross-wall 4t), andwhose other end bears against a washer 4-4 fixed to the rod in positionto urge the brake rod in a direction to release the brake and to elevatethe foot plate 26. It will be apparent that when a person using thechair stands on the foot plate 26, the bralte will be applied to preventthe rolling of the device, and when the user raises his feet or stepsout of the chair, the brake will be released to permit the device to bereadily rolled about.

The invention includes a seat 46 and a body engaging member 48, whichare carried on a supporting frame, generally designated 50, which isattached to and extends upwardly from a plunger 54 slidably extendedthrough the upper wall of the housing 14, and which works in a pressurecylinder 56 disposed in the chamber 18, whereby the frame may be raisedand lowered to adjust the elevation of the seat and body engagingmember.

The frame 56 has laterally spaced apart side arms 58 and 60, connectedtogether by means of a cross bar 62, which is provided centrally with adownwardly vertically extending post 64, which is attached at its lowerend to the upper end of the plunger 54 as by means of welding orotherwise, and these side arms are formed at their free ends withexternal enlargements 66 and 68 respectively, which serve as bearings ina manner to be more fully explained hereinafter. Braces 70 are providedon the frame which are connected at their upper ends to enlargements 66and 68 and which extend downwardly for connection at their lower ends tothe upper end of the plunger 54 adjacent the post 64 to securely supportthe frame on the plunger. The enlargements or bearings 66- and 68 areconnected by a shaft 72, which extends through horizontally alignedcentral openings in each of the enlargements, and is non-rotatab-lyfixed thereto in any suitable manner, as by welding or the like.

The enlargement or bearing 68 has inwardly extending externally reducedbearing portion 74, upon which a cylindrical element 76 is rotatablymounted, which element has an inturned flange 78 forming an opening intowhich one end of a tubular element 80 is extended, and which rotatablysurrounds the shaft 72, as best seen in FIG- URES 4 and 5. Theenlargement or bearing 66 is provided with an inwardly extendingexternally reduced bearing portion 82, which is provided with externalteeth 84, and upon which a cylindrical element 86 is rotatably mounted,which element has an inturned flange 88 forming a central opening intowhich the other end of the tubular element 80 is extended. A tubularframe element 9% is provided which is of angular shape having one armthereof lying parallel to and attached to the tubular element 84) as bymeans of welding, as shown at 92 in FIGURE 4, for rotation with theelement 80, and the other arm thereof extending away from the element80.

Another tubular frame element 94 is connected at one end to thecylindrical element 82 and extends outwardly paral e1 to the arm of theframe element 90, which extends away from the tubular member 80, andwithin this element or arm 94 of the frame a' detent 96 is slidablypositioned, and is formed at one end with a tapered end portion 9%,positioned to be engaged with the teeth 84 of the reduced portion 82 ofthe enlargement 66 to hold the cylindrical element 82 and the framemember 94 against rotational movement relative tol the enlargement 66.The detent as is provided with a notch 10%, into which an arm 1%; of apivotally mounted latch 1G4, carried by the frame member $4, may extendfor engagement with the detent to move the detent out of engagement withthe teeth 34 when the latch member M14 is depressed to permit thetubular member 82 and arm d4 to be rotated about the bearing portion 82of the enlargement 66 to adjust the position of the frame members 90 and94. A coil spring 106 is disposed within the arm 94, in engagement witha closure ns enclosing the outer end of the arm and whose inner endbears against the outer end of the detent 96 to yieldingly urge thedetent into engagement with the teeth 84. Upon depression of the latchmember 164, the arm 102 will engage the detent in the notch 1% to movethe detent 96 in engagement with the teeth 84 against the pressure ofthe spring 1%, and upon release of the latch member 104, the spring'106will move the detent back into engagement with the teeth 84 and at thesame time elevate the latch member 104.

The outer end of the outwardly extending arm of the frame member 59 isopen and one arm 110 of an angle shaped extension member, in the form ofa rod, is slidably extended into the outer end of the frame member 90.The other arm 112 of the extension member carries the body engagingmember 43 which may be of flat platelike construction, rotatably mountedon the arm 112 as by means of suitable bearings 116, to position thebody engaging member in parallel spaced relation to the member of theframe. The body engaging member is preferably provided with a suitablepad or cushion positioned against which the body of the user may rest,when the user is seated on the seat 46. The arm 11% of the extensionmember is provided with suitable notches or recesses 118 into which apin 120 carried on a latch member 122 may extend to hold the arm 11%against sliding movement on the outwardly extending arm of the member99. The latch member 122 is pivotally mounted on the member as by meansof a two-part clamp 124, detachably secured to the frame members 90 and94, as best seen in FIGURE 7, and upon which the latch member 104 isalso mounted.

The bearings 116 are preferably located somewhat above the midportion ofthe member 112 so that the body engaging member always hangs in avertical position ready for engagement with the body of a person seatedon the seat.

it will be apparent that by depressing the latch member 122, the pin maybe lifted out of latching engagement with the arm 110 to permit the armto be moved inwardly or outwardly of the frame member 94, to adjust theposition of the body engaging member 48, toward or away from the frame,and that upon release of the latch member 122, the coil spring 126 willreturn the latch member to a position with the pin 12% extending intoone of the notches 118 to securely hold the body engaging member in itsadjusted position.

The seat 46 may be of bicycle type, adjustably mounted on a shaft 128attached to the frame member 90 and extending toward the body engagingmember 48.

The plunger 54 is slidably extended into the hydraulic cylinder 56through an opening in the top of the housing 14 and suitable packing,such as that indicated at 130, may be provided between the plunger andthe housing to form a fluid tight seal. Within the chamber 18 of thehousing 14, the hydraulic cylinder 56 is provided with an inletconnection 132 and an outlet connection 134. The inlet connectionleading to the discharge outlet of a pump cylinder 136, provided withthe usual outlet valve 138, and the cylinder being also connected by aninlet pipe with the interior of the supply reservoir chamber 20, whichinlet pipe has an inlet valve 142 of the usual type. The outletconnection 134 of the cylinder 56 leads to the interior of the hydraulicfluid supply reservoir 20, under the control of a valve 144. The supplyreservoir 2t? has an inlet opening 146 which is provided with a suitableclosure such as the screw plug 148 which may be removed to permit thereservoir to be filled with hydraulic fluid.

Within the pump cylinder 136, a plunger 150 is located which isconnected to a pivotally mounted foot pedal 152, as by means of aconnecting rod 154 whereby the plunger may be moved downwardly by theuser and the foot pedal is urged upwardly by means of a coil spring 156to return the plunger to its uppermost position in the pump cylinder.The valve 144 of the outlet connection or" the cylinder 56 has anoperating arm 158 which is connected to a shaft 160 which is positionedto be engaged by the foot pedal to open the valve 144 when the pedalreaches the lower limit of its downward movement, the valve 144 being ofthe spring type, adapted to close when the pedal 152 moves upwardly outof engagement with the shaft 160.

In the operation of the hydraulic mechanism to elevate the plunger 54and the supporting frame 50 therewith, the foot pedal 152 is depressedby the user, which results in downward movement of the plunger 150 inthe pump cylinder 136, to close the intake valve 142 and open thedischarge valve 138 to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure from thereservoir 20 to the lower end of the pressure cylinder 56 beneath theplunger 54 to move the plunger upwardly. Upon upward movement of thepedal 152 under the influence of the spring 156, the plunger 150 movesupwardly in the pump cylinder 136, to cause the discharge valve 138 toClOSe and the intake valve 142 to open to allow fluid from the reservoirto enter the pump cylinder. By repeatedly depressing the pedal 152,hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 20 may thus be pumped into thepressure cylinder 56 beneath the plunger 54 to elevate the supportingframe to any desired height. During the pumping operation, the valve 144will be closed and when it is desired to lower the supporting frame, thepedal 152 is depressed to the lower limit of its downward movement toengage the shaft 160 to move the same downwardly to open the valve 144,whereupon hydraulic fluid in the pressure cylinder 56 beneath theplunger 54 may flow back to the reservoir 20 through the outletconnection 134.

In making use of the operating chair of the invention, the surgeon mayposition himself on the seat by standing on the platform 12 withouttouching any part of the apparatus with this hand, and may elevate theseat and body engaging member to the desired height by depressing thepedal 152 with his foot. It will also be apparent that the chair may becovered with a sterilized sheet or other covering, through which thelatch members 184 and 122 may be conveniently operated to adjust theangular position of the body engaging member relative to the supportingframe as well as the distance between the body engaging member and theseat, so that the surgeon may lean forward against the body engagingmember and be supported by the apparatus in a comfortable and relaxedposition for operating on the patient. Moreover, it will be apparentthat the plunger 54 may rotate freely about its axis relative to thebase, so that the surgeon may turn from side to side to any desiredposition.

During the course of the operation, the surgeons feet will normally beresting on the foot plate 26, to depress the same to engage the brake 38with the wheel 24 to hold the chair in a stationary position, and in theevent that the surgeon should desire to shift the chair from oneposition to another, this may be easily accomplished by releasing thefoot plate 26 to release the brake, whereupon the chair may be rolled tothe desired position and the brake again applied by depressing the footplate.

The invention, constructed and operated as described above, provides asurgeons operating chair of strong and rugged construction, and which iseasily operated by the surgeon without danger of contamination, by whichthe surgeon will at all times be supported in a relaxed and comfortableposition.

The invention is disclosed herein in connection with a certain specificembodiment of the same, but it will be understood that this is intendedby way of illustration only, and that various changes may be made in theconstruction and arrangement of the parts within the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimedas new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a surgeons operating chair a supporting frame,

a base adapted to be positioned on the floor at one side of an operatingtable, means for movably supporting the frame on the base for verticalmovement along and rotation about a vertical axis, a seat supported onand extending horizontally outwardly from the frame and a body engagingmember movably mounted on the frame in horizontally outwardly spacedrelation to said seat for rotational movement about a horizontal axis.

2. In a surgeons operating chair a supporting frame of generallyrectangular shape, a base adapted to be positioned on the floor at oneside of an operating table, means for movably supporting the frame onthe base for vertical movement in a horizontal position along androtation about a vertical axis, a seat supported on and extendinghorizontally outwardly from one side of the frame, a support element ofangle shape, means movably supporting the element on the frame with onearm of the element extending outwardly from one end of said one side atright angles thereto and the other arm thereof extending parallel tosaid one side for vertical swinging movement relative to the frame inforwardly spaced relation to said seat and a body engaging memberrotatably mounted on said other arm for vertical swinging movement inparallel relation thereto.

3. In a surgeons operating chair a supporting frame of generallyrectangular shape, a base adapted to be positioned on the floor at oneside of an operating table, means for movably supporting the frame onthe base for vertical movement in a horizontal position along androtation about a vertical axis, a seat supported on and extendinghorizontally outwardly from one side of the frame, a support element ofangle shape, means movably supporting the element on the frame with onearm of the element extending outwardly from one end of said one side atright angles thereto and the other arm thereof extending horizontallyfor movement toward and away from said one side to allow said other armto be positioned in forwardly spaced relation to said seat and a bodyengaging member rotatably mounted on said other arm for verticalswinging movement in parallel relation thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,721,221 Jauregui July 16, 1929 1,933,421 Elliotte Oct. 31, 19332,375,696 Shick May 8, 1945 2,545,813 Jackson Mar. 20, 1951 2,568,988C-hilds Sept. 25, 1951 2,579,606 Oom et al. Dec. 25, 1951 2,609,862Pratt Sept. 9, 1952 2,613,725 Woodhall Oct. 14, 1952 2,865,429 ThompsonDec. 23, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 623,702 Great Britain May 20, 1949

